Frame mounted pump

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use in combination with a tractor having a hydraulically adjustable rearwardly facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff is described for use in evacuating a body of water. The apparatus includes a mounting frame attachable to the rearward facing three-point implement hitch. A pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft with a drive pulley is carried on the mounting frame. A drive means connecting the pump drive pulley to the rear power takeoff is usable to transfer power to the pump. A suction hose having a proximal end is attached to the water inlet of the pump and a distal end that preferably includes a debris strainer. A discharge hose is attached to the water outlet of the pump.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/835,717, filed Aug. 4, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating a body of water. In particular, the invention relates to a water evacuation system that can be mounted on the rear of a tractor to drain water from bodies of standing water, such as flooded sand traps and other bodies of water on a golf course.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Evacuation pumps are often used in agriculture to direct irrigation water from one location to another. Typically, a large capacity evacuation pump is powered by the rear power takeoff of a large size tractor. These large pumps are usually attached to the three-point hitch of the tractor, although some can be so large that they are towed in a tractor-trailer type configuration.

While these large evacuation systems are suitable for large agricultural applications, they are too large and too expensive for other purposes such as evacuating water from golf course sand traps. For one, driving large agricultural tractors into or near the edges of golf course sand traps would be very damaging to the sand traps. What is needed is a medium capacity pump that can be used with the power takeoff of a compact or small sized tractor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a water extraction system that is attachable to the rear three-point hitch of a motorized, wheeled vehicle, such as a small tractor, with the system being powered from the tractor's rear power takeoff. It will be understood that while the invention is described in terms of use with a small tractor, that it is also attachable to other vehicles that have a three-point hitch and a rear power takeoff.

Vehicles such as farm tractors are typically equipped with a rear mounted three-point implement hitch. For the purpose of this disclosure a vehicle three-point hitch comprises three movable hitch arms. Two lower spaced arms are the hitch lifting arms, and they are controlled by the vehicle's hydraulic system. The hitch lifting arms provide lifting and lowering for an attached implement such as the present frame mounted pump apparatus. A centrally located upper arm in relation to the two lower spaced hitch lifting arms is known as the center hitch arm. The center hitch arm is movable manually, but is typically not powered by the vehicle's hydraulic system. Each hitch arm has a distal end bore for receiving a hitch pin for attaching an implement, and the implement has corresponding hitch pins that fit through the end bores of each hitch arm. The implement is secured by placing a locking pin also known as a lynch pin on the bored ends of each implement hitch pin.

The present apparatus includes a mounting frame attachable to a tractor's three-point hitch, a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft carried on the mounting frame, and a drive means for connecting the pump drive shaft to the rear power takeoff. The system also includes a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of the pump, and a distal end that preferably includes a debris strainer. A discharge hose is attached to the water outlet of the pump.

The mounting frame is preferably constructed of steel. However, other materials such as aluminum and composite materials can be used to make the apparatus lighter in weight. The frame is releasably attachable to the three-point implement hitch of the tractor near the tractor's rear power takeoff.

The mounting frame includes a rectangular deck frame that is attached to a pair of spaced skids. The rectangular deck frame has front, rear, left and right side members. The side members are preferably constructed of angle iron. A rectangular deck plate is attached to the rectangular deck frame. The deck plate is preferably made of steel such as diamond plate and includes predrilled bores and/or slots for attaching the pump and other equipment to the deck plate. The skids are preferably constructed of angle iron, and have elongated foot sections for contacting the ground. Front and rear upwardly extending legs sections with upper ends attach to the rectangular deck frame to connect the skids to the mounting frame.

A pair of rigid arms having lower ends are bent to jointly present an inverted Y structure that terminates at the top of the Y structure in a pair of spaced and bored ends that receive an implement center hitch pin for connecting the pump apparatus to a tractor's implement center hitch arm. When properly hitched, the distal bored end of the tractor's center hitch arm is captured between the Y structure's spaced and bored ends by the implement center hitch pin.

A reinforcing bar is attached to rigid arms just below bored ends. The lower ends of the rigid arms are attached to rectangular deck frame left and right side members such that the inverted Y structure formed by the rigid arms is perpendicular to the deck plate, and is adjacent to the front member. The hitch pins for connecting the pump apparatus to the hitch lifting arms of a tractor or tow vehicle are attached to and extend outwardly from the deck frame side members at locations adjacent to the front member.

The fluid transfer or evacuation pump mounted on the frame is powered by a gearbox, which in turn is powered by the power takeoff at or near the rear of a small sized tractor to which the mounting frame is attached. The pump includes a rotatable pump drive shaft with a pump drive pulley. Moreover, the pump has a water inlet for attachment to the proximal end of a suction hose and a water outlet connectable to the proximal end of a discharge hose.

The gearbox includes a rotatable gearbox input drive shaft that is used to connect the gearbox to the tractor's power takeoff. A gearbox output drive shaft has a gearbox drive pulley. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gearbox increases the gearbox input drive shaft speed from about 540 rpm to a gearbox output drive shaft speed of 3450 rpm for driving the pump at speeds significantly higher than by the tractor's PTO alone. It is also preferred that the gearbox gears are arranged to reverse the direction of the shaft rotation of the gearbox output drive shaft relative to the direction of rotation of the gearbox input drive shaft.

A continuous belt extends around the pump drive pulley and the gearbox drive pulley, whereby rotation of the tractor's power takeoff rotates the gears of the gearbox and gearbox output driveshaft and pulley, which in turn rotates the pump drive pulley to actuate the pump. An operator controllable actuator on the tractor is used to engage the power takeoff pulley, and pump drive pulley with the drive belt. In this way, power from the power takeoff is transferred to the fluid pump under operator control.

The preferred pump is a self-priming centrifugal type with an intake opening and an intake hose coupling centered on the front of the pump and a discharge opening and a discharge hose coupling at the top of the pump. Pacer Pumps of 41 Industrial Circle Lancaster, Pa., manufactures a suitable pump for the present invention. An especially suitable Pacer Pump is the one having model number SE3LL CSS with a pumping capacity of around 280 gal/min.

The suction hose is preferably substantially shorter than the discharge hose, and is short and rigid enough to remain conveniently attached to the pump's inlet opening during transport. For example, a preferred hose has a length of from about 3 to 8 feet, a diameter of about 3 to 4 inches, and a bend radius of about at least 8 inches, e.g., from about 8 to 15 inches. However, the suction hose length is long enough such that its distill end is in a plane below the bottom of the skids when the skids are on the ground, i.e., with the pump apparatus in its lowered position. A preferred hose is a semi-rigid hose of reinforced PVC. Tractors such as those usable with the present invention typically have rear hitch hydraulic lifts that can raise the frame and pump high enough off the ground surface to prevent the end of the rigid suction hose from striking the ground during transport. Thus, the suction hose need not be detached and reattached between pumping applications. The discharge hose is preferably about 20 to 30 feet in length, e.g., a 25 foot PVC hose, permitting discharge substantially away from the body to be evacuated. The hose is coilable when not in use. An elastic strap is adapted to strap a coil of the discharge hose to the mounting frame for transport.

Before operation, an operator backs a three-point hitch equipped tractor to be hitched to the apparatus up to the front end of the mounting frame. The operator adjusts the height of the tractor's hitch lifting arms to align the hitch lifting arms with the hitch pins of the frame mounted pump apparatus. The operator then brings the tractor and apparatus together such that the end bores of the hitch lifting arms engage the apparatus hitch pins. Next, the operator secures the apparatus to the tractor hitch by fastening the tractor's center hitch arm to bored ends of the inverted Y structure using the apparatus's implement center pin. Next, the operator assures that the outlet end of the discharge hose is connected to the pump's outlet and that the pump inlet connection end of the suction hose is connected to the pump inlet. Preferably, a canister type strainer is connected to the suction hose intake end to prevent debris from being sucked into the pump intake. At this point, the apparatus is ready for operation.

To begin operation, the operator uses the tractor's rear hydraulic lift to raise the apparatus off the ground, and drives the rear of the tractor to or into the water body to be evacuated, such as a water saturated golf course sand trap. Next, the operator will lower the tractor's rear hydraulic lift in order to submerge the suction hose debris strainer into the water. The operator will also deploy the discharge hose such that the discharge hose outlet end is placed within a ditch or other location to where the pumped water is to be discharged. The operator then engages the tractor's power takeoff to transfer power to the pump. Once the power takeoff is engaged, the pump self-primes and begins pumping water out of the water source discharging the water at the desired location.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the drawings. For example, a hose reel may be added to a hose storage arm that is attachable to the mounting frame for quicker deployment and retrieval of the discharge hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a right side plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the apparatus with the shroud and shield removed.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus with the shroud and shield removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, terms such as horizontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath and the like are solely used for the purpose of clarity in illustrating the invention, and should not be taken as words of limitation. Also, like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings. In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale.

As best seen from the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1 and the right plan view of FIG. 2, a pump apparatus 10 is connectable to a rearward facing three-point hitch of a transport vehicle such as a tractor. Pump apparatus 10 is made up of a mounting frame 12 that includes a rectangular deck frame 14 attached to a pair of spaced skids 16. Rectangular deck frame 14 has front 18, rear 20, left 22 and right 24 side members. A rectangular deck plate 26 is attached to rectangular deck frame 14.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a pair of rigid arms 28 having lower ends 30 are bent to jointly present an inverted Y shape that terminates in a pair of spaced and bored ends 32 that receive an implement center hitch pin 34 for connecting pump apparatus 10 to a tow vehicle hitch arm. A reinforcing bar 36 is attached to rigid arms 28 just below bored ends 32. Lower ends 30 are attached to rectangular deck frame left 22 and right side 24 members such that the inverted Y shape formed by rigid arms 28 is perpendicular to rectangular deck plate 26 and is adjacent to front member 18. Hitch pins 38 for connecting pump apparatus 10 to the lift arms of a tow vehicle are attached to and extend outwardly from deck frame side members 22 and 24 respectively at locations adjacent to front member 18.

A self-priming centrifugal pump 40 has a water inlet opening 42 through an inlet hose coupling 44 and a water outlet opening 46 through a discharge hose coupling 48. Pump 40 also includes a pump drive pulley 50 attached to a rotatable pump driveshaft 52 for driving the pump's impeller (not shown).

A gearbox 54 for increasing the pump driveshaft revolutions per minute includes a power-take-off driveshaft 56 and an output driveshaft 58 with attached gearbox drive pulley 60. Gearbox 54 is attached to deck plate 26 such that power-take-off driveshaft 56 extends forward beyond deck front member 18 and is centered below rigid arms bored ends 32.

As best seen in FIG. 4, self priming centrifugal pump 40 is mounted to deck plate 26 such that rotatable pump drive shaft 52 extends forward and intake hose coupling 44 extends rearward over deck frame rear member 20. Moreover, pump 40 is mounted on deck plate 26 such that gearbox drive pulley 60 and pump drive pulley 50 are co-planer yet separated by a lateral distance. A belt 62 for transferring power from the gearbox output driveshaft 58 and the rotatable pump drive shaft 52 is in mechanical communication with both pulleys.

Turning back to FIG. 1, a shroud 64 and a shield 66 are releasably attached to deck plate 26 to cover gearbox drive pulley 60 and pump drive pulley 50 to protect an operator and to prevent debris from jamming the belt 62. An elastic cord 68 with hooks is attachable to deck 28, and is usable to strap a rolled discharge hose 70 to deck 26. Moreover, a relatively short and rigid suction hose 72 has a debris strainer 74 attached to its distal end. Strainer 74 is for preventing debris from being sucked into water intake 42. The proximal end of suction hose 72 connects to coupling 44. Suction hose 72 can remain connected during transport from one operation site to another.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An apparatus attachable to the rear end of a vehicle having a rear facing three-point hitch and rear power takeoff for use in evacuating a body of water comprising: a) a mounting frame attachable to the vehicle; b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft carried on said mounting frame; c) drive means connecting said pump drive shaft to the rear power takeoff; d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pump includes a pump drive pulley attached to said rotatable pump drive shaft.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting frame includes a strap adapted to fasten a coil of said discharge hose to said mounting frame.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of said suction hose includes a debris strainer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a hydraulically actuated three-point implement hitch and said frame is connectable to said three-point hitch.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame includes a shroud to cover said continuous belt and pulleys.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pump is a self-priming centrifugal pump.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said suction hose is a reinforced hose having a length of from 3 to 8 feet.
 10. An apparatus attachable to the rear end of a vehicle having a vertically adjustable rear facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff for use in evacuating a body of water comprising: a) a mounting frame attachable to said rear implement hitch; b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft with a pump drive pulley carried on said mounting frame; c) drive means connecting said pump drive pulley to the rear power takeoff; d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said frame includes an elastic strap adapted to fasten a coil of said discharge hose to said mounting frame.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the distal end of said inlet hose includes a debris strainer.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said frame includes a shroud to cover said continuous belt and pulleys.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said pump is a self-priming centrifugal pump.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said suction hose is a semi-rigid hose having a bend radius of at least 8 inches.
 17. In combination, a vehicle having a hydraulically powered rearward facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff, and a water removal apparatus attached to said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a) a mounting frame attached to said rearward facing three-point implement hitch; b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft carried on said mounting frame; c) drive means connecting said pump drive shaft to the rear power takeoff; d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said pump includes a pump drive pulley attached to said rotatable pump drive shaft.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said suction hose is a reinforced PVC hose having a length of from about 3 to 8 feet, a diameter of from about 2 to 4 inches, and a bend radius of at least 8 inches. 